Avocado and cholesterol: a review of seven randomised trials
What it found
In seven randomised trials in people, avocado-rich diets were linked to lower total and LDL cholesterol than avocado-free diets, but triglycerides and fasting glucose were about the same.
What they found
Studies in people
Total cholesterol
People on avocado diets had lower total cholesterol than those on avocado-free diets, in both the habitual diet and low-fat diet groups.
LDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol was lower in the avocado group than the control group in both diet groups.
HDL cholesterol
In the habitual diet group, the control group had higher HDL than the avocado group. In the low-fat diet group, the avocado group had higher HDL than the control group.
Triglycerides and glucose
Triglyceride levels and fasting blood glucose levels were similar in the avocado and control groups in both diet groups.
Blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure was the same in the avocado and habitual diet groups, but it fell more with the avocado diet than with the low-fat diet. Diastolic blood pressure showed the same pattern.
What the authors conclude
“The study concluded that incorporating avocados into the diet can be a beneficial dietary strategy for individuals aiming to lower their cholesterol levels and promote heart health.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that adding avocados to the diet can be a helpful dietary strategy for people aiming to lower their cholesterol and support heart health.
- They say further long-term trials are needed to fully understand how avocado affects blood lipids and other heart risk factors.
- They advise future research on the long-term effects, the mechanisms involved, and other heart outcomes such as stroke and heart attack.
How it was done
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, and avocados have been suggested as a food that may help lower it.
The authors pooled seven randomised clinical trials with 1,359 people, 683 on an avocado-rich diet and 676 on an avocado-free diet. The trials compared avocado diets with either a habitual diet or a low-fat diet.
What it can’t tell you
- The trials were short and had small sample sizes, so the results should be interpreted with caution.
- The studies varied in their participants, diets, control groups and length, which may affect the findings.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
- Authors work at
- Larkin Community Hospital, USA; Lakeside Medical Center, USA; Indiana University (IU) Health Bloomington Hospital, USA
The paper
- Title
- Effect of Avocado Consumption on Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Licence
- CC BY. Words in quotation marks are the authors’; the rest is our summary.
- Cite
- Okobi OE, Odoma VA, Okunromade O, et al (2023). Effect of Avocado Consumption on Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. doi:10.7759/cureus.41189Free full textPubMed 37525782DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error